Tag Archives: Technology Association of Iowa

C. Gus Doulaveris Joins CBE Companies as CIO

Appointment bolsters CBE’s continued transition to BPO
by aligning people and technology

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – May 29, 2013 – CBE Companies (CBE), a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, announced the addition of C. Gus
Doulaveris to its leadership team as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Doulaveris comes to CBE with over 15 years experience leading multi-million
dollar technology programs in both private and public sectors. His background includes both IT and engineering leadership roles, along with program
management. He most recently worked for General Dynamics, formally Vangent, Inc., for the last five years as Vice President, Engineering. Doulaveris holds a
Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University in both Management Information Systems and Telecommunication Systems.

“I am extremely excited to join an organization of CBE’s caliber. From my very first interactions with company leaders, I knew this was a place where people really
matter. I appreciate the level of commitment to do the right thing, be an innovative thought leader and deliver value for our customers. Capitalizing on this
commitment, I will utilize the latest technologies to springboard the organization to the next level in the BPO marketplace,” said Doulaveris. “The company’s Core
Values are in line with my background allowing for an environment where I can lead by example and help our employees reach their maximum potential by truly
fostering deep technical expertise within the organization,” he continued.

CBE Companies’ President and COO, Chad Benson, said, “Information technology is an ever-evolving discipline for all organizations in today’s competitive and changing global marketplace. Gus comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in the areas of strategic planning, enterprise computing, telecommunications and delivery of software solutions across multiple platforms
and industries. What impressed me most with Gus is his proven track record for building diverse, high-performing teams, passion for developing people and problem solving skills. When you combine those competencies with his deep technology experience there is no question Gus will play a significant role in our service delivery as a BPO,” Benson continued.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Launches New Data Tool Resource

As part of its portfolio of business services, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, in partnership with Far Reach of Cedar Falls, introduces the Cedar Valley Data Portal.

Through the Cedar Valley Data Portal website, statistics and data about the Cedar Valley, from a multitude of sources, is collected and routinely updated in one convenient location. Data available on the site includes general demographic, economic, social, and housing statistics along with a variety of additional information regarding Cedar Valley cities, seven county economic area and the state of Iowa. The site offers data comparisons through easy to create, customizable reports.

As an economic development organization, the Alliance & Chamber is the primary agent for the demographic information on the entire Cedar Valley region. It is a priority of the Alliance & Chamber to distribute this information and business intelligence in the most efficient and effective way possible. The information provided in the data portal presents the Cedar Valley as one economic region, positioning the region competitively for new jobs and investment. Site selectors from outside the region will especially appreciate the comprehensive economic and talent information available through the data portal.

“ Most companies and site selection influencers are conducting community data and property searches 24/7 and look to organizations like the Alliance & Chamber as a source. If this information isn’t readily available on our web site, we risk a lost opportunity,”notes Alliance & Chamber Economic Development Marketing Director, Lisa Rivera Skubal. “Companies and site selection influencers don’t call economic developers until they have already made a short list of potential sites. This interactive data portal complements our available property data base, further setting us apart.”

The data portal is also an avenue to support retail and service business with access to current information for planning.

Project History

A survey to Alliance & Chamber partner organizations such as utility partners, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and the Cedar Valley Regional Partners showed need for such a system. From there, Far Reach developed the system for the Alliance & Chamber.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is responsible for updating the information provided on the data portal. Alliance & Chamber staff use national reporting sources, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research and Iowa Workforce Development to aggregate data. Far Reach Technologies will continue to providing reporting and analytics to guide the growth and enhancement of the site.

“The Alliance & Chamber works with these stats every day. The ability to collect, update, and distribute this kind of comprehensive business intelligence is bedrock to what our organization does. This is not only a value added benefit to our investors, the Cedar Valley Data Portal is a critical resource for attracting new business and talent to the Cedar Valley,” comments Steve Dust, CEO of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.

The Cedar Valley Data Portal can be found by going to www.cedarvalleyalliance.com, http://data.cedarvalleyalliance.com/DataPortal.aspx. For more information on the Cedar Valley Data Portal and other information services provided by the Alliance & Chamber, contact Taylor King at tking@cedarvalleyalliance.com or 319-232-1156. Far Reach can be found on the web at www.farreachinc.com.

Kate Washut Appointed to Technology Association of Iowa Board

Kate Washut, Partner at Cedar Falls technology and marketing firm Far Reach – a Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber investor, was recently appointed to the board of directors for the Technology Association of Iowa.

The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is a professional service organization that strives to strengthen Iowa’s technology ecosystem and enhance the state’s reputation as a technically advanced place where world-class technology firms and organizations thrive. TAI’s Board of Directors provides leadership and vision for the organization and is responsible for establishing policy initiatives concerning TAI’s financial health and activities.

More info:
http://farreachinc.com
http://www.technologyiowa.org

GCVAC Investor Company Far Reach Partner Kate Washut Wins Women of Innovation Award

Cedar Falls–Kate Washut, Partner at Cedar Falls-based Far Reach received a Dupont Pioneer Iowa Women of Innovation Award. Washut won the award in the category of “Entrepreneurial Innovation & Leadership.” The Iowa Women of Innovation Awards are presented annually by the Technology Association of Iowa and recognize women who are leaders in science, technology, engineering, or math.

Winners and finalists were honored at a dinner and ceremony in Des Moines on November 15. Washut was recognized for her accomplishments in technology, including starting her company Far Reach with four other partners in 2007. Far Reach is based in downtown Cedar Falls and offers web design and development services, custom software development, mobile technology solutions, and technology and marketing consulting. Washut was also instrumental in the development of two additional companies, Hired Hand Software and Nu Squared Software. Washut worked with other technology leaders in the Cedar Valley to establish the Cedar Valley TechBrew. This event attracts around 100 attendees each month for idea sharing, networking, and start-up promotion.

The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is a professional service organization that strives to strengthen Iowa’s technology ecosystem and enhance the state’s reputation as a technically advanced place where world-class technology firms and organizations thrive. TAI’s Women of Innovation Awards is in its fifth year of honoring Iowa women.

For more information contact Sue Munnik at 319.273.8060, ext. 112, or sue@farreachinc.com.

More info:

http://farreachinc.com

http://www.technologyiowa.org/en/events_services/iowa_women_of_innovation/2012_women_of_innovation/

Call for Entries Dream Big Grow Here

Cedar Valley Dream Big Grow Here Contest Call for Entries September 4-18

The Dream Big, Grow Here business grant contest is an opportunity for Iowans to win one regional $5,000 small business grant and then go on to pitch their business for a shot at a $10,000 grand prize.

For-profit start-up and small businesses providing value-added production or services in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Grundy and Tama counties are eligible to apply. Qualifying applicants will receive confirmation within 2 business days. See contest rules.

The top 5 businesses by popular online voting will face off in the Cedar Valley DBGH Pitch-Off for a chance to win $5,000 to start or grow their small business on October 18, 2012 at the Cedar Valley Innovation Day. The Cedar Valley Pitch-Off winner will advance to the statewide Pitch-Off for an additional $10,000 the Spring 2013.

Top 15 businesses by popular online voting are invited to set up a table at the Cedar Valley Innovation Day on October 18, 2012 to showcase their product or service to regional business leaders and other entrepreneurs.

Learn more from this excellent KWWL video news story.

Find out more at http://www.dreambiggrowhere.com/HowItWorks.aspx?contest=17

Cedar Valley Innovation Day

Cedar Valley’s Innovation Day celebrates the best in innovative information technology, value-added production and related business services from start-ups and small businesses in the Cedar Valley Region.

GCVAC has teamed up with Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) to bring TAI’s Pitch & Grow event to the Cedar Valley Region.

In addition, the Cedar Valley Region will be celebrating the top 15 popular vote winners from the Dream Big Grow Here Cedar Valley contest while the top 5 popular vote winners will Pitch-Off for the grand prize of $5,000.

The day will conclude with keynote speaker Sarah Miller Caldicott, great grandniece of Thomas Edison, discussing her book Inventing the Future a look at how Edison would innovate today using new technology and how individuals can adapt his proven innovation methods to their advantage.

All events will occur at the University of Northern Iowa Campus – Business & Community Services and Center for Energy & Environment Education Buildings.

Find out more about all three components of Innovation Day at: http://cedarvalleyalliance.com/cms/238/Cedar_Valley_Innovation_Day

Or contact Lisa Skubal at the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, 319-232-1156,
or lskubal@cedarvalleyalliance.com.

Grow Cedar Valley